1911 pistol for double duty, target and home defense??

Question

Would a Springfield Armory 1911-A1 Champion Loaded be a good choice for target shooting and home defense, or should I consider an XD45 instead?

I know a shotgun (Mossberg 500 with a Knoxx adj. stock) would be a better choice for home defense but my home has small hallways so swinging it from side to side is dangerous for my feet

Springfield Armory 1911-A1 Champion Loaded is about the most expensive gun i can afford @ 800 dollars.

Also i have held an XD (don't remember which one) but it felt great in my hand which is another reason why I'm considering Springfield's 1911

I'm not looking for a match grade pistol. I would just be target shooting with my dad for fun. Maybe later i'd pick up a better one

I didn't say but i'd just be plinking.

I'd like to do sport shooting but I would get a pistol specifically for that.

I made a choice, bought an XD40. I'll get a 1911 when i decide to get into comp. shooting

Answer 1

Bound's hubby here:

I would not have a problem using the .45 for both target and home defense. However, the Champion is not appropiate for target. If you are looking at a pistol for formal target shooting look closer at Springfield's "Trophy Match". This is a very accurate pistol for 25 and 50 yard shooting with wadcutters.

My reservation is a late night scare. I like the .45 very much. What I fear is being startled awake from a deep sleep. The 1911 can be very touchy and sensative. The likelyhood of an accidental discharge is too great. Because I have a wife, child and a dog in the house I no longer use the .45 as my primary "bump in the dark" gun. Instead I have a pair of .38s at hand for investigating awakening sounds. I feel it is safer relying on the long 10 pound trigger pull of a DA .38. In the middle of the night, when you're not quite awake you have to lean toward safety.

ETA:
I still believe that a revolver may be the safer handgun for late-night home defense ... since semi-autos like the 1911 can be very touchy when you are not fully awake!

The Springfield Champion is a good handgun ... it is in contention as a carry gun for when I retire.

Personally, I do not care for the polymer-type framed handguns ... they do not feel right for me. You are limited in grip contours and materials. I would not buy an XD or a Glock, or similar ... 1911 style or not at all!

Good luck.

Answer 2

I would not get an XD45. This gun is like a Glock (all-service). True, people have been target shooting with "service guns" like the XD, Glock, HK, Ruger P-series-just to name a few. These guns do not make a transition to target shooting like the 1911-A1 full size does. You stated that you were considering a Champion? Get a full-size. I own a Kimber Custom II standard and it is ideal for target or defense. The fixed sights are of high quality and there are no "bells and whistles" that interfere with quick self-defense application. Newer service guns (Glock/HK/Ruger/S&W) can be accurate, but they are so bias towards service that they become plinkers when not in defense usage. I know I will get a lot of guff from people who "target shoot" with an HK (these are evry accurate-and expensve), but the 1911 has been around so long that it has earned the "dual capability" aspect more than any other centerfire automatic. If I were to have to pick two centerfire hadnguns for dual purposes, they would be none other than a good quality 1911 (full-size) and a medium-large S&W/Ruger .357 Magnum (4" Bbl w/adj. sights). There are a lot of other choices, but given the dual-purpose role, I feel that these are the best. On the other hand, maybe you should get TWO guns (one that is exclusively recreational and beautiful, while the other is crude-looking but optimal for combat). Remember that a self-defense gun has to be durable and go boom, not be a conversation piece or a super-accurate weapon.

Answer 3

What kind of target shooting?? NRA Bullseye or IPSC action shooting? You going to compete or just plink?

Hard to beat a quality 1911 style semi auto for target or competition. A fine defense weapon as well, in certain situations.

The 1911 should not be carried or stored with a round in the chamber and the hammer down. That means if you want it for immediate use you either have it "****** & locked (safety on) or without a round in the chamber.

The double action style autos overcome that handicap. Have you considered the Taurus 24/7?? A full size .45 auto, 12 rounds, and a Heinie fixed sight. Cost about have of the Kimber.

Answer 4

In terms of target shooting, you cannot beat the single action trigger of the 1911. I've never seen a serious bullseye shooter shoot a double action auto or a striker fired auto.

That being said, the tolerances of a target pistol are nomrally much tighter than those of other guns and it takes somebody who know what they are doing to produce both match grade accuracy and total reliability. In short if you are talking about a serious match pistil, its going to cost you some money.

I prefer the 1911 for a defensive gun but I put thousands of rounds downrange every year with one. That same single action trigger that is such an aid to accurate shooting can easily be fired unintentionally under the stree of an armed confrontation. Unless you are really serious about training and practice, I wouldn't go with the 1911.

The .45 is a great chocie in terms of caliber. By virtue of its larger diameter bullet you will simply have a better chance of "breaking the line" on paper targets for the higher score than you will with smaller diameter bullets. While there are other good cartridges for defensive purposes, none are demonstrateable better than the .45ACP in a premium loading.

Good luck.

Answer 5

I wouldn't recommend using an 1911 pistol for home defense. As for target, some of the models from Kimber and the Springfield Trophy Match are designed for target.

A double-action only gun like the XD or a GLOCK would be a better bet in a high-stress home defense situation.

Remember, you need a lot of practice and training, and it can be done with a 1911A1 if you know what you're doing.

Answer 6

Can I suggest a Kimber Pro-Carry? (You'd never guess what *I* own). I've shot Springfield's and Kimbers and definitely prefer the Kimber.

Highly accurate, fairly light, very reliable, and comes with all the bells and whistles right outta the box.

Orion

EDIT: Strangely, the reasons people prefer the DA to the 1911 are reasons I prefer the 1911. Yes, you need to train with it. Yes, you need lots of practice. But you should not *EVER* carry a lethal weapon if you have not trained with it until it is a part of you.

It's faster, less likely to be pulled off-target on the trigger pull and highly reliable. With a beaver-tail safety you're not too likely to have it just 'go off' until you're on target.

As for being seen as 'too ready to kill', stick to factory loads and show documented training and you're fine - CCW classes are great. Stress the shoot/no-shoot decision making classes to show due dilligence.

Also, I think you'll find a Kimber Custom or Pro_Carry for about $800...Like I said, I'm a bit biased. Either way - I'd go 1911.

Answer 7

I have a Springfield arms 1911 and use it for both aswell. It is good for home defense because the .45cal round has good stopping power. I can easily put about 45 outta 50 rounds into a head of a sillouette at 10 yrds. A 1911 is a good choice. You can get a MilSpec for about $400

Answer 8

My opinion is that the .45 ACP is the best pistol round for personal protection out there...I like the 1911 style best...it just feels right to me and i like a exposed hammer....I thought about an XD and im still thinking about it.... but I dont plan on shooting 14 times at anyone in my home... and I DEFFINATLY dont plan on missing that many times so I think the 1911 is the best in that respect... As far as loaded goes i would have to say you better have a trigger lock if you have kids... and i would suggest a revolver if it was to be kept loaded...but thats just me.... you'll do the right thing....good luck

Answer 9

The .45 is probably the better choice but I would consider a double action pistol. A DA .45 or a .40 would be easier to operate in a critical situation unless you practice a lot. And DA pistols make for a better case in court. If your 1911 is ****** (and locked) it could demonstrate you were prepared to kill. A DA does not have to be ****** and is therefore less "aggressive" to many jurors. Cold, hard facts.

Answer 10

I generally don't avocate the .45 for either application. Ammo is expensive compared to the 9mm, and recoil can/will make it difficult for accurate follow-up shots. Add to that that if there is someone else in the household that may need/want to shoot that is of smaller stature, the 45 may be too much to get proficient with.

That said, of the two choices I would select the 1911. Old, well proven bulletproof design. You can count on the 1911's to go "bang"....every time.
And if you need to the all metal gun makes a great club ; )

Whatever you choose, the key is to get practiced. Remember the saying: "Having a gun makes you no more armed than having a guitar makes you a musician".

Cheers.